4th Title Aside, Being Great Everyday, Leading Fight For Social Justice Was LeBron’s Biggest Bubble Challenge

LeBron James and the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the 2020 NBA Bubble Championship. It was the Lakers 17th title in franchise history and King James’ 4th title in 10 NBA Finals appearances. He’s won rings with three different franchises, just one of the many records he continues to rack up.

The legend of LeBron James is well cemented in NBA history. He was this era’s Michael Jordan, but he adjusted with the times, elevated his social responsibilities and helped push the NBA into more progressive times, where player empowerment and being vocal on issues of social justice, inequality, racism and even police brutality went from something that some past superstars would steer clear from to something that every NBA player felt obligated to address.

LeBron is unique in that he assumed the pressure of performing at the highest level in the sport for 17 years, while speaking out against issues in society that dealt with the systematic oppression, murder and disrespect of people of color. The 2020 Finals MVP dedicated his entire Bubble season to fighting for #BlackLiveMatter social equality and an end to systemic racism, while at the same time trying to stay at the top of his game and secure himself a place on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore.

Along with carrying the heavy burden of activism, Bron was the supreme player in the NBA Bubble, winning his fourth Finals MVP.  Bron entered the clincher averaging 30.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 8.2 assists. He finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 6 and left no doubt that at age 35 he’s still the most dangerous weapon on the court when provided with the pieces to go all the way.

Off the court, he’s become a business and film mogul, a leader in improving education (I Promise School) and has cornered the market on signing superstars and calling his own shots, with his super agent and friend Rich Paul.

Having entered the league with unprecedented hype, then going on to win back-to-back titles in Miami, coming back from 3-1 down to defeat a 73-win Golden State team, bringing a championship to Cleveland and now doing everything short of making the pancakes inside the NBA Bubble, Bron still says his greatest challenge is the fight for equality.

Formulating strategy, getting white people to understand their role in this problem, galvanizing the people, speaking out against major capitalistic and oppressive forces is something that he hasn’t perfected like a hoops competition. He gives the same effort though and he’s honest about his fight.

 

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